I bought an M3, as a guy who had never set tire on a track, so that I could have a track car. This spring I get to start learning. There are other options I guess. But one consideration is age. A man reaches a certain age (I'm there) where almost any trackable car will make him look like Lord Farquad. Midlife crisis city, or compensating for something. But no worries with the M3.

they're both great cars.. the gtr is phenomenal but needs a tranny cooler just like the m3 is good but needs a bbk...

no contest the GT-R is a great car, that's for sure. Just seems odd given the intended use of the GT-R that it requires modification to something as major as the transmission or it will "fail". This is not a consumable item, but a major warranty covered component of the car that would be "at risk".

While a BBK is nice to have on a M3, you can certainly slap on some race pads, fluid, and SS lines and still last on the track for multiple sessions without worry.

no contest the GT-R is a great car, that's for sure. Just seems odd given the intended use of the GT-R that it requires modification to something as major as the transmission or it will "fail". This is not a consumable item, but a major warranty covered component of the car that would be "at risk".

While a BBK is nice to have on a M3, you can certainly slap on some race pads, fluid, and SS lines and still last on the track for multiple sessions without worry.

I consider the trans on the GT-R and the brakes on the M3 almost equal flaws. Neither issue rears its head at 7-8 tenths, but if you drive hard then either one will annoy you. The GT-R trans doesn't melt itself, it goes into limp mode and you go pit and cool off (and replace the $500 trans fluid soon...). I can't say that is any more annoying than my first day in a bone stock M3 when I made the stock pads literally crumble and destroyed them and damaged the rotors.

The cars really shouldn't be compared, it is almost like comparing a GT-R or GT3 to a racecar; they're just not the same kind of thing. They are both awesome cars, but one is a very street-friendly car that is fun on track and the other is a not as street-friendly car that is a beast on track at the expense of some street manners, and with double the maintenance costs to boot.

I will say that the most track ready car out of the box is a 997+ GT3. They hold up in every way, and just work well on track. YMMV.

And, OP: sorry for derailing your thread into a GT-R vs. M3 thread... we probably have enough of those already.

I consider the trans on the GT-R and the brakes on the M3 almost equal flaws. Neither issue rears its head at 7-8 tenths, but if you drive hard then either one will annoy you. The GT-R trans doesn't melt itself, it goes into limp mode and you go pit and cool off (and replace the $500 trans fluid soon...). I can't say that is any more annoying than my first day in a bone stock M3 when I made the stock pads literally crumble and destroyed them and damaged the rotors.

The cars really shouldn't be compared, it is almost like comparing a GT-R or GT3 to a racecar; they're just not the same kind of thing. They are both awesome cars, but one is a very street-friendly car that is fun on track and the other is a not as street-friendly car that is a beast on track at the expense of some street manners, and with double the maintenance costs to boot.

I will say that the most track ready car out of the box is a 997+ GT3. They hold up in every way, and just work well on track. YMMV.

And, OP: sorry for derailing your thread into a GT-R vs. M3 thread... we probably have enough of those already.

OP, didn't mean to derail the thread either.

My last comment is that I'm not comparing the cars really, just my disappointment that a $100k car supposedly meant for track use (not an all around daily driver with sports tendencies) doesn't hold its weight out of the box. I give the M3 more allowance because it's a car that's supposed to be an all arounder and something like needing a BBK is a bit more expected. Again, one car is not better than the other.

Nice to see such enthusiasm!! The M3 is an amazing dual purpose car and actually needs very little mods to be great on the track too.

With that said isn't it crazy to think that most people who buy these cars aren't even the driving type and don't ever go to the track?! The street crowd with all those mods and add-ons but 0 skill or knowledge of how to use them!

Different strokes for different folks, I guess for some knowing they have a great tool is good enough while others like to know how to use it too!

Trey (porschelife) I find it interesting that you and I have such a different opinion about the stock brakes. I've been doing great with my stock brakes with just lines, fluid and PFCs. I don't need anything else (and no I'm not the slowest guy around either ). I can see you swear by the BBK though!

With that said isn't it crazy to think that most people who buy these cars aren't even the driving type and don't ever go to the track?! The street crowd with all those mods and add-ons but 0 skill or knowledge of how to use them!

Trey (porschelife) I find it interesting that you and I have such a different opinion about the stock brakes. I've been doing great with my stock brakes with just lines, fluid and PFCs. I don't need anything else (and no I'm not the slowest guy around either ). I can see you swear by the BBK though!

I've always been really hard on brakes. I know you're far from slow, just saying I tend to abuse brakes. I think part of the problem is I learned on cars with awesome brakes that let me get away with it (2500# E36 racecar, Cayman with ducting and PFCs etc.) My PFC's even crumbled in E92 to some degree, which shouldn't happen with real race pads. The Mazda brakes work better though

Nice driving! Looks like the track was drying out? There's definitely a lot more grip to be had when the track is dry and gets some rubber down on it. I've also found the track will be green for a lot longer when its cold.

Trey (porschelife) I find it interesting that you and I have such a different opinion about the stock brakes. I've been doing great with my stock brakes with just lines, fluid and PFCs. I don't need anything else (and no I'm not the slowest guy around either ). I can see you swear by the BBK though!

That's because you drift around the corners! What's your tire bill

Seriously, I'd love to look at a video overlay of your throttle and brake. I am also hard on brakes and I would like to change that.

Nice driving! Looks like the track was drying out? There's definitely a lot more grip to be had when the track is dry and gets some rubber down on it. I've also found the track will be green for a lot longer when its cold.

thanks feels smoother all the time! dried throughout the day. the R8 was a challenge. i have video of me repeatedly passing a gt3 which is funny because its kind of my halo car. i wanted to smack the guy and show him how to drive it. oh yeah side note. F40 there today. get this it was his commuter car to get to the track. drove his alpha and 66 vette on the track.

i agree with kaiv at this point as well. i am having pretty good success with stock rotors and caliper with lines, pads, ducts, and fluid. i also drive in much lower temps than you and tend to do my track days in the cooler months as well because thats when it seems i have time. warm days are still only 80ish at most.

thanks feels smoother all the time! dried throughout the day. the R8 was a challenge. i have video of me repeatedly passing a gt3 which is funny because its kind of my halo car. i wanted to smack the guy and show him how to drive it. oh yeah side note. F40 there today. get this it was his commuter car to get to the track. drove his alpha and 66 vette on the track.

Careful with the Porsches. Those guys seem to take a lot longer to figure out how to drive it. But once they do...look out! I used to bitch smack GT3s in novice and intermediate thinking what's all the fuss about? Now they double bitchsmack me in advanced and I really want one someday.